Meg McElwee Ashland pattern giveaway

August 8, 2012

We're absolutely thrilled to have collaborated this week with fellow North Carolina resident, pattern designer, blogger, and author Meg McElwee to bring you a great giveaway. For those of you who aren't familiar with this talented sewist, Meg has written two very popular sewing books, Sew Liberated: 20 Stylish Projects for the Modern Sewist and Growing Up Sew Liberated: Making Handmade Clothes and Projects for Your Creative Child, both stuffed with lovely project ideas and photos. I'm a particular fan of Growing Up Sew Liberated which draws heavily on Meg's experience as a Montessori teacher. The sewing projects in this book are interspersed with great ideas from Meg on how to involve children in everyday tasks at home, from cleaning up to cooking to garening, not to mention how to foster kids' creative play both inside the house and out. My girls saw the play teepee on the front cover of this book and immediately began clamoring for their own little hidey nook.

Besides authoring these two lovely books, Meg is also a talented sewing pattern designer with lines of women's and children's clothing and accessories available through her Sew Liberated pattern shop. Meg's most recently released pattern–and her first dress pattern!–is the Ashland Dress Pattern which comes in US sizes 2-20 and includes separate pattern pieces for bust sizes A-D. Meg says that the Ashland can also be made up as a tunic by simply shortening the skirt to the desired length. She's photographed here in a simplified tunic version made up in Spoonflower cotton/silk printed with Holli Zollinger's "Grey and White Diamond Linen" design. Meg told us, "I love that this will be a versatile top; I can wear it in summer and it will keep on working through winter with the help of a cardigan. The cotton/silk fabric has a sheen to it, so the top can easily be dressed up for a night on the town." We think it's lovely.

Meg kindly agreed to an interview with us about the inspiration behind her sewing and pattern design, and I hope you find it as interesting as I did. Read on for more about Meg plus a giveaway below!

You started your pattern designing life creating patterns for accessories. What made you want to start designing clothing patterns?

When I rediscovered my childhood interest in sewing, I started out with easy patterns and worked my way up to garment sewing. It wasn’t until I was living in rural Mexico and didn’t have access to any clothing stores or commercial patterns that I started designing and sewing my own clothes. You could say that I became a designer by necessity, but the truth is that I truly enjoyed the time I spent trying to figure out how to create a certain look, and I loved the uniqueness of the garments that I was able to add to my own closet.

What factors do you consider when designing a new garment? Do you have a particular person or type of person in mind when you’re beginning work on a new pattern, or a particular task or place it might be worn?

Perhaps this reveals a certain selfishness, but I design for myself. Which means, of course, that I design for others with whom I share similarities: women who are practical in their clothing needs, yet enjoy looking nice – artistically styled, shall we say. As a mother of young children, I need for my clothing to be comfortable, hard-wearing, and able to transition from grocery store to park to the (occasional!) date night with my husband. I try to keep nursing moms in mind in many of my designs, and I strive to make the construction of the garment accessible for all levels of sewists.

What is the most challenging aspect for you in designing a clothing pattern?

When designing a clothing pattern, the biggest challenge is assessing fit. A design will look very different on different body types, so I try to stick to designs that I know will flatter most bodies. At Sew Liberated, we’ve addressed some of the challenges of fit by making our most recent pattern, the Ashland Dress, with bust-specific sizing. Each pattern comes with custom cup sizes from A-D, making the sewing process much less time-consuming, and assuring a flattering fit for most women.

What are your personal favorite fabric types for clothing sewing?

I love working with knits because of their forgiving nature – they are easy to fit, many drape beautifully, and they provide a fantastic foundation for your wardrobe. Learning how to make the perfect t-shirt was a groundbreaking day for me! So many possibilities for giving your wardrobe a comfortable upgrade! I love Spoonflower’s interlock knit base – with it, you can get really creative with knits, because cool knit fabric prints are hard to come by elsewhere!

What articles of clothing to you find yourself making again and again, whether for yourself or for your family?

T-shirts, definitely. Closely followed by yoga pants, the Paloma Top, and baby pants. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been preparing to teach a course on sewing with knits with Craftsy, titled Sewing with Knit Fabrics: Five Wardrobe Essentials, due out in mid-August. But even if I hadn’t been approached to teach the class, I would have gathered quite the collection of knitwear anyway.

What do you think has been your most successful garment pattern so far in terms of your original vision coming to fruition? How about in terms of feedback from others?

The Ashland Dress is my personal rock star. I had the vision in my head, then on paper, and it took a good amount of tweaking until it truly lived up to the vision. It’s a dress (which can be made into a tunic, as shown) that has fabulous and forgiving shaping and great skill-building details like invisible zipper installation and side seam pockets.

Sew Liberated’s all-time favorite garment pattern has certainly been the Schoolhouse Tunic. It’s the best pattern for starting off on your garment sewing adventures. You’ll come out with a finished product that’s really timeless and chic, and with minimal difficulties at the sewing machine. People just love their Schoolhouse Tunics – most seem unable to stop at just one, which is a great sign!

Is there anyone whose personal style you really admire and take inspiration from?

I get a kick out of style blogs that seamlessly meld vintage finds with a modern wardrobe–dresses with knee-high, distressed leather boots, a flowy top with comfortable stretch pants. I’d say that my style is an eclectic mix of the feminine and the lumberjack, vintage florals and subdued euro-chic solids.

Are there any new patterns or projects in the works that we should look forward to seeing from you?

Yes! I have a fall collection coming out in October, which will include a dress, a top, a pair of stretch denim pants, a harvesting apron and a beautiful quilt – Sew Liberated’s first quilt pattern. It’s going to be a busy late summer!

Thanks, Meg! And now for your chance to win a copy of Meg's Ashland Dress Pattern, plus four yards of the Spoonflower fabric of your choice to make it up in! To enter this giveaway, just leave your comment below or on the corresponding Facebook post, and do include your Spoonflower screen name or other means of finding you in case you're our winner. Have you ever made one of Meg's other Sew Liberated patterns? We'd love to hear about it in your comment. This giveaway closes next Tuesday, 8/14 and we'll announce a winner on 8/15. Good luck to you all!

Last week, we gave away a copy of Robin Houghton's Blogging for Creatives, an approachable guide to the blogosphere. The winner was Douglas Peterson, who blogs about ducks and the other inhabitants of his local millpond in Brighton Michigan at Words4It. Congratulations, Doug!

I’ve made the Schoolhouse tunic and frankly the fit wasn’t great in the bust for me, but I’m a newbie sewist. It would be great to try a pattern with different sized bodice pieces! mcgulisa(at)gmail(dot)com

This pattern is lovely! I have seen and loved the Sew Liberated books, but haven’t sewn any of the patterns yet. This looks like a great one to start with. And Spoonflower fabric…the icing on the cake! Thanks for the generous offer~~kathy_slaughter

I love that dress pattern and would actually make that one for myself. It is very flattering even for my body type. Youare a talented designer because you take into consideration what would look good on bodies that are bigger than a sz 2 or 4..Thank you for that. I am looking forward to seeing who wins this contest Giveaway!
Thanks again Dj Merritt

After 35 years of sewing I have finally realised that the empire line is very flattering for me and an empire line dress or top is the way to go and this year I made my Very First Proper dress that fits, and that I love. I saw this pattern and knew immediately that even if I don’t win, I shall endeavour to buy it. Somehow. I am so grateful that at last there are patterns for those of us who are well endowed ‘bustally’!! Thank you!!!

I can hardly wait to find out if I won this pattern. I’m so intrigued by a designer whose style is “feminine and lumberjack…”! I’m love the lines of this dress and the idea that Meg not only designed it for different dress sizes, but also different bust measurements. This has got to be one of my fave giveaways!

I would love to receive the Ashland pattern and fabric to make it. I have made the Schoolhouse Tunic many times. I am teaching my niece to sew and think she would look adorable in the Ashland dress!! shelleybb@comcast.net
Thanks, Shelley

Ooh, boy! I love this pattern and I have the Growing Up Sew Liberated book at home. It’s so fun and my daughter has earmarked projects she wants me to make for her. I also really like the Paloma and the Bohemian carpet bag patterns.
I have the perfect fabric to make this dress with: mad scientist fabric! http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/168904
Sarah
Spoonflower name: SarahRT
email: rhinestonesandtelephones [at] gmail [dot] com
Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!

I adore Meg’s patterns. I have sewn many of them, the latest being the Paloma dress which I can’t stop wearing! I would love to try this, and in a gorgeous Spoonflower fabric, thank you so much for the chance to win! (smallfriendly at yahoo dot com)

I’ve been thinking about this pattern since its release… and this prize would give me the chance to try another of the Spoonflower fabrics… so far I’ve only used the organic cotton knit (and plenty of it!).

I love this pattern! Would love to try it! I’ve made a few things of Meg’s in the past but haven’t tried a garment yet…a couple kids aprons, a little amigo doll (that both me and my daughter love), a few art satchels, a carpetbagger bag…

Oh I would look so great in that dress, and the fabric she chose to make the cute version in the blouse is just tops! Sign me up for the draw- I want some. Please – tell me I won at divingmad@hotmail.com !

Meg’s blog is an inspirational and humbling corner of the Internet. I consider myself privileged to have been following her as a mother and businesswoman, and wish her much success in her new projects. I have both her books, and hope to try one of her patterns soon. Thank you for the giveaway!

That dress is sooooo beautiful! It is difficult for me to find dressmaking patterns that will fit me since I put on weight so I am in the process of teaching myself to make the pattern from scratch – this would certainly be a welcome pattern to work from in the meantime! My Spoonflower name is craftgirl78 (as it is elsewhere on the web!)

I would love to try the dress pattern! It looks so comfy and classy, which is a hard combo to achieve sometimes! I have sewn with lots of Meg’s patterns before, I adore her second book “Growing Up Sew Liberated”! My little ones have been the happy recipients of many designs from there!
just in case my name on the comment form isn’t linked anywhere… atthebutterflyball at gmail dot com is the addy where I can be reached.
Thank you!

I love Meg’s patterns and have wanted this one since seeing it the first time. I have made her school house tunic which I wore alone over a swimsuit or over jeans. It was easy to make and looked awesome!

I have Meg’s book “Growing Up Sew Liberated” and have made several projects from it. My boys especially love the reversible capes, with which they have been super heroes, bats, jedi, royalty, etc. I also love Meg’s blog. This looks like a great pattern, and I love that she included different bust sizes. – evenspor

I’m a big fan of Meg’s. I have a couple of her books, but haven’t yet managed to sew many of her patterns. I also haven’t yet tried out Spoonflower (although I have been distracted on a number of occasions, exploring the possibilities of it!) I’d love the opportunity to try out both:-)

I have a few of her patterns cut out and ready to sew one of these days (apron and Huck Finn cap). The ones I’ve actually stitched (4 times now!) are the hooded cape and fabric basket from Meg’s second book. Very simple to sew – and both look fabulous! email: mehartman at gmail dot com

Yay! two of my favorite things together, sew liberated and spoonflower. I could spend hours drooling over spoonflowers prints. Any one of them would translate beautifully to sew liberated’s awesome patterns. Your episode of Around Carolina was on again last night. I’ve seen it literally dozens of times and stopped to watch again. Still cracks me up that your machines have names.

I have Meg’s “Growing Up Sew Liberated” book and have been using it to make things for my first child who will be born in October. I’d love to win the dress pattern and make something for me as well! My Spoonflower name is sassycrafter.

Lily, it looks like Meg recommends “light to mid-weight fabrics with a nice drape including cotton, voile, lightweight linen, or doupioni silk. Or mid-weight wool for a more structured dress.” It sounds like you can be fairly flexible in your fabric choices then, depending on the look you’re after. I’d personally probably choose either the Spoonflower voile, cotton/silk (like Meg’s tunic), poplin, or cotton sateen if I were making one up. Good luck!

I bought a pattern from Sew liberated back in 2009…it was for a plush gnome that I made for a close friend of mine and called it his “traveling gnome pillow” He still has it, and absolutely loves it. The pattern was great and easy to sew…not to mention ADORABLE!

Ah man, I would so love to win this. I’ve never used any of the sew liberated patterns but I’m really wanting to make The Paloma Top.
My contact info is happy_haylee_3(at)hotmail(dot)com. Crossing my fingers!

LOVE this dress and am looking forward to making something for myself. I have always had great fun with Meg’s patterns and know this one will be the same and to have the chance of 4 yards of Spoonflower fabric…heavenly! Mlower03 at yahoo dot com

I love this pattern! I have made many of Meg’s patterns, but by far my favorite so far is the mei tai. Or any of the kid patterns from Growing Up Sew Liberated…basically I love them all! peanutspansy@yahoo.com

I love this dress pattern – it’s just what i’ve been looking for! I’ve already made the schoolhouse tunic, twirly skirts for my girls, and the emmeline apron. I’d like to add the Ashland to my collection.
My spoonflower name is TinyBlueHouse. Thanks!

I haven’t committed to buying or creating any Spoonflower fabric yet, but I have been waiting for the perfect reason to. It is such a great concept and the fabric samples I have are so amazing! Thanks so much for getting together!

Love the dress, love Spoonflower, love your giveaway! I’m currently making a couple of children’s aprons for the Growing up sew liberated book – found the pattern free on line. (tonie.sly@virginmedia.com)

I am so happy tp see Meg’s world constantly expanding. I have made several of her darling apron patterns, both Emmeline and Lola/Lolita, trimmed with my LFN Textiles ribbons, and I have also sold her Sew Liberated patterns alongside my ribbons at trade shows. This new dress looks terrific!
Laura F. Nicholson
(lfntextiles)

I have made several of Meg’s aprons, both Emmeline and Lola/Lolita, trimmed with my own LFN Textiles ribbons, and I have sold the Sew Liberated patterns at sewing shows alongside my ribbons. I am so happy to see how Meg’s business is expanding! Great dress pattern (and I live in dresses, so much more comfortable than pants)
Laura F. Nicholson
(lfntextiles)

The top is just lovely. Great choice of fabric! Perhaps this will inspire me to take the plunge into making clothe for myself instead of just my little one! I have both of Meg’s books and have used patterns from each. I also purchased the Huck Finn cap pattern and will make it this fall. Thanks for the chance to win!

I love the look of this dress and what a great idea to include the different bust sizes. I just stumbled on this site and am really excited by what I see. I would love to win the fabric from Spoonflower! Thanks!

I am so excited about discovering Meg and the Ashland Dress pattern! And of course, Spoonflower fabrics – just a wonderful never ending potential of fabrics and designs. As an experience quilter of MANY years (decades), sewing clothing has not been my area of expertise. However, after discovering Meg’s site, the pattern, and the lovely fabric available, I think I could make a wonderful piece to add to my wardrobe. It would be great to be included in the give away. Thank you so much Spoonflower, Meg, and those that are contributing this gift. Whomever wins, will surely have a great time sewing! I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Summers coming soon…despite the Antarctic breeze in the air! I’d love, love to wear this top through the heat. Beautiful clothing and fabric. Can’t wait to see what’s next for you. Best wishes- msekbriggs@gmail.com

I fell in love with Sew Liberated and Meg when I found the schoolhouse tunic pattern. Easy, well written and works with all fabric I`ve tried. I would be so excited to try the Ashland pattern and love her version with your cotton silk fabric……..yummy to the bone!! To add your fabric to my stash would make my week. Kisses to all and best of luck.

Beautiful pattern and fabric giveaway!
This pattern would also make a great blouse, tunic and long dress!
It is a classic wardrobe essential pattern!
I would love to win this package!
Blessings
Namaste’
From Debra J Webb

Beautiful work as always! I love Megs books and follow her blog as well. I have made several of her patterns from Growing up Sew Liberated but have yet to make anything for myself. Thanks for the chance to win!